For the 16th year, the SLHS Special Education Program attended the district’s Day Prom and had a marvelous time dressing up, dancing, eating delectable food, and having fun with friends and dates. The dance was held at The Waterford, a grand hotel at the Fair Oaks Mall. Eight local high schools participated in the Day Prom: Centreville, Fairfax, Falls Church, Kilmer, Lee, Marshall, McLean, South Lakes, and Stuart. About 1,000 students from these schools attended over a period of two days.
Prom was organized by Chris Pascarella. Pascarella sent out an email to the Day Prom representative from each school and the committee met to delegate responsibilities. This year, South Lakes students made the boutineers and corsages for the every student attending the event, using flowers such as the beautiful Baby’s Breathe flowers that were donated by Burke Florists. They take the carnations, cut them, put them together, and tied ribbons around them. Our school supplied the soda, and the SLHS Culinary department catered the event (making turkey and veggie platters). Although the preparation of the event takes a while, it’s definitely worth it in the end.
Since the Prom is during the day, the students came to school to get ready. The girls got their hair and makeup done, and the boys got their hair gelled and combed; everyone looked their best. Chariots for Hire donated limos so the 31 kids could ride in style to the luxurious Waterford Hotel. From 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The kids dance with a professional DJ and even get media coverage (ABC7 did a full story this year). They also took a group of peers from Best Buddies. Finally, they get on a limo and come back to school.
“My favorite part is when the kids arrive and they realize this is all for them. The kids aren’t used to having these extravagant experiences so when they walk into that ballroom, the music is playing, every table has a centerpiece, and their names are on the table. They let everything go, walk out on to the dance floor, and they’re just happy. I just think the best part is watching them let go and really enjoy themselves,” said Special Ed teacher Mrs. Sutphin.
All students who attended the event were thrilled with their memorable experience. “The Day Prom was fun, there were a lot of people to dance with and it was very crowded. There was good food and everyone had fun. I had a fun time. There were a lot of songs everyone knows like there songs from Zootopia and Frozen (Let It Go). I had a date named Robert, so we had fun because we are close and we danced together,” sophomore El shared. Marcus and Christina Martinez enjoyed the event as well, and felt that dancing was the most exciting part. Prom is a highlight of every high school student’s life, and the fact that every student gets to enjoy it is excellent.